Work

Cohomological beta function

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: We propose a cohomological approach to computing the conformal anomaly. Using the example of current-current deformations of two-dimensional conformal field theories, we reproduce the well-known Cardy formula for the leading contribution to the perturbative beta function as the coefficient of the cocycle that realizes the obstruction to deforming the conformal algebra module structure on the state space. In addition to offering a novel conceptual perspective on the conformal anomaly, the proposed approach is anticipated to provide an efficient tool for computing higher-order coefficients of perturbative beta functions.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2606.28975

Authors: Gamayun, Oleksandr, Gritskov, Maxim, Losev, Andrey

Institutions: Royal Institution of Great Britain, London Institute for Mathematical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Algebraic structures and combinatorial models

Subfield: Geometry and Topology

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

Awards: G6444257319, G6836815800

OpenAlex ID: W7166646837

Cites:

Cited by: 2

Related to: 10